The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-08-17
THE KENTUCKY ELECTION.
Mr.. Watterson Expresses His Views on the
Result to q Journalist.
IWeshiuotoO SnecIal


The New York World contains the fol-
lowing interview with Mr.. Watterson:
How Is il, Mr.. Watters3n, the re-
porter asked, when there was little hope
OF Democratic President, Kentucky gave
so, coo Democratic majority, and nov that
We sctually have Democratic President
this Democratic majority is only 20. 000?'
Much more attention is given the re-
suit in Kentucky than IL justly deserves
Mr.. Watterson replied. 1t is without par
ticular significance. One set of theorists
seek 10 strain it to the conceit that il is
protest against what they call free trade.
The World made a conclusive answer to
Hhis when ii recalled the ciIcumstak &c that
during all these years of overwhelming
Democratic majofities in Kentucky the
taTif Issue was even more pronounced than
il showed itself in the canvass just ended.
Another set OF theorists would ascribe the
falling off in the vote to feeling OF dis
satisfaction with the President. This is
equelly an error with the other. The
Kentucky Democrats discharged their dis
pleasure with the President in theis State
convention and platform resolutions, and
having done this, as matter of justice
to themselves, they thought little more
about it. In general way they like the
President well enough-especlally What
they conceive his intentions. l don
trink that, directly, the Administration
lost Us many, if any, votes, Ii simply
made US none. 1t would be perhaps fairer
TO say that it cut little figure either way.
ITO what, then, do you escribe the loss?'
ITO variety Of causes. For many years,
in Kentucky and elsewhere, great masses
of men who have no special affinity, have
been voting and acting together on &C
count OF some single issue or pressure. AS
these exceptional Influences sre weakened
those whom they held begin to fall away,
and seek their natural belonging. Com
monty their first step in this direction is
not 70 vote at all. Ia the South the ten
dency works against the Democrats; in the
North sgsinst the Republicans Where
there is an overwhelming majority there
is likely to be lack of friction or lsxity
of organization. This was notably true in
the late Kentucky canvass. The Demo-
Gratis were on dress parade. The Repub.
licsns felt that, deprived of Federal offices,
it was ''ground-bOg case" They thought
they might catch a weasel asleep and they
very nearly did,"
$50 you acq nit the President of any re
sponsibility for the Democratic decline?"
al think that the supercilious behavior
of some of the heads of the Government at
Washington and a certain indifference in
the relation of the Administration to the
party have produced lassitude in Demo-
cratic party spirit everywhere. This has
doubtless had an Unconscious effect in Ken
lucky. Bat do not think it has gone the
length of purPosed protest against the
President, who is regarded with kind of
complecent good humor as a well-meaning
and obstinate favorite of fortune, who cares
very little what happens 50 it doesn't hap
pen TO him.
How do you meRnP
Just exactly what l say. You Will OBJ
MT in al nj no n
ances the one exclusive subject of interest
is the administration. He never has a
word for the Democratic party. 1t does
not seem 10 occur t6his mind that there
are any 'gbouls' lying in wait for the party
which put him IN the White HoDse. They
are only lying in wait for him. 1t is at
him, not at the party, that the wolves
and the panthers' are bowling. All his
complaints are those of an invalid, not OF
party leader. am sometimes led to sus-
pect that he Is still afraid of the party that
elected him president, and that, consider
ing himself, as be is so often told by the
Mugwumps, stronger than the party, he
purposely keeps it in the background. To
my mind this is both dangerous aud I'M
grateful, because the party and the admin
istration are one and inseparable-must
stand or fall together; and as l have al
ways regarded the denomination of the
President as inevitable, want to see him
pursue that course which will warm and
stir the Democratic heart and fill it with
the instinct of victory"